This is really a loaded question, as there are a whole host of questions to ask you before these can be answered.
However, some background that may is:
1. Is this for business? or Personal?
2. If this is for business, what is the approx budget?
3. What is the target audience? Demigraphics and size (ie, how many visitors per day or per hour)
4. What is your level of experience with Graphics (Photoshop or GIMP for example), or Programming and web saavy (ie experienced web user that has lots of experience or fairly new to web and computers?)
Now some resources that you can take advantage of:
1. Google (I research just about everything through Google. Not just the web pages, but I use the Google Groups as well. It is a collection of all the news groups out there. Great resource. If you have a question, chances are someone else has asked it already)
2. If you are PC Based, using Windows (98, NT, XP) then I would suggest procurring a copy of MS Frontpage. Easy to use Web Page and Web Site designer. Does have a lot of overhead that is not necessary, however, good for beginners to use the WYSIWYG interface and then look at the HTML code underneath.
3. If you are uncomfortable designing yourself, 2 options that I have used in the past are a professional web designer or hiring a College Student. Alot of college students are very adept and would be far more reasonably priced than a professional firm, however, you do get what you pay for, so this is a decision that you would have to make. Ask for examples of their previous work, they should be able to show you other sites, that they have designed.
4. As far as hosting goes, if it is business, you should check with your ISP, or a hosting company, again Google can help here, and check out different options. These are based on # of visitors expected per day and number of pages on the web site, etc. You can start by hosting yourself, and then gauging the traffic, before moving the site to a provider who can help you with Domain Name Registration (ie the www.yoursitename.com)
I hope this helps you with some of the info you need. Feel free to PM me if you have any additional questions or if you need clarification. I will not recommend particular companies or individuals, but do like to provide people with the right tools to make their own informed decisions.
Take Care
